Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1887-07-01
COMMENCEMENT.
THE 9TH ANNIVERSARY OF MIDDLEeURY
COLLEGE.

Idp>' interesting literary eNcIClScS, Ille
presence of many alumni, and general
feeling of hopefulness for the future of
the college all combined to render this
years commencement noteworthy. The
outlook has not been better at any time
since the war Last years freshman
class was the largest in the recent histo-
ry of the college, and the prospect is that
next fall a still greater number will seek
admission. The buildings are all in ex-
cellent repair, and are adequate to pres
ent needs. During the past year an eff
fort has been made to raise $4,000. and
its success is assured, over $4,000 hav-
ing already been pledged. This fund
when obtained will pay all outstanding
Indebtedness, and leave $4,000 for in
vestment, the income from which, added
to that now derived from the permanent
current expenses. \ year ago an addi-
tional professor was engaged, and will
be retained. But one change will be
made in the faculty the coming year.
]
to continue his studies abroad; but the
vacancy thus made has already been
filled. Altogether the friends of the in
stitution have reason to be satisfied with
its condition and prospects.
SUNDAYS SERVICES.
The Baccdlauredte.
The exercises opened with the baccal-
aureate sermon, which was preached at
the Congregational church on Sunday af-
ternoon. The house was well filled, sew
eral of the surrounding towns being rep
resented. Ex-President Cyrus Hamlin,
d. D., Ii. D., now of Lexington. Mass,
was in the desk with President Brainerd
and assisted in the service. Mrs. Miner
presided at the organ with even more
than her customary skill, and the choir
was not less admirable in its performan-
ces. 1t was made up of Mrs. j. W. Pitts.
Mrs. w. ID. Lane, Misses Cady. Stewart
Greer and Carrie Bond and Mr.. Cornell of
Burlington, DR.. Sheldon and Messrs.
Munroe and Richardson.
After the choir and quartet (the latter
composed oflNlrs. Pitts, Miss Cady, Mr..
Cornell and Dr. Sheldon) had rendered a
selection DR.. Hamln read the second
chapter of second Corinthians as the
scripture lesson. Then hymn 564, 'The
people of the Lord are on the way to
heaven" was sung and Dr. Hamlin offer
ed prayer. a quartet-Mrs. Pitts. Miss
Cady, Mr.. Cornell and Mr.. Munroe-gave
the selection 1.-The King of love my shep-
herd is
President Brainerd's discourse, an alb
stract of which follows. was earnest
and impressive;
The text was the closing words of the
Book of Judges: Every man did that
which was right in his own eyes" The
sacred writer has been describing an age
of wrong and violence; but in their own
estimation the actors had been doing
right. Our attention is thus called to an
important fact of our moral nature. that
men usually fall into sin and error with
out knowing it. 1t is not enough in the
conduct of life for man to say, 81 will
believe only the truth; all men say this,
and yet accept more or less of error. 1t
is not enough for man to say he means
to do what is right; most men can say
this, and yet what they fancy to be right
is often wrong in the sight of God and
their fellow-men. 1t is one of the Saddest
things in our human experience that we
drift into error and are beguiled into sin.
We find in history that some of the
most wicked deeds have been committed
in the name of righteousness and in all
sincerity. The martyrs of religion and
of civil liberty have fallen, not as the
victims of conscious malice, but as the
victims of misguided zeal and of pervert-
ed notions of what was for the best in
terest of church or state. In common
life we find that most men in their own
eyes are doing right. Our fellow-men
, may see plainly wherein we have done
amiss; but how ready we are to resent
their censure and to protest that we are
misunderstood and our action viewed
from an improper standpoint. AS we
journey along carelessly through life We
get into the wrong pathway before We
are aware of it. False guides lead Us
! astray. Enjoyment in the course we are
, pursuing makes us 10th to question its
correctness. We saunter along in life
: doing that which is right in our owl
eyes, but falling to secure the highes
prizes offered to manhood.
) The religion of Christ furnishes the
strongest safeguard against error ant
self-delusion. 1t accomplishes this by
3 begetting spirit of reverence and hu
; milty. 1t cures us of our natural con
ceit and opens our eyes to see how mucl
there is beyond us and above us. Chris
tianity also begets spirit of seriousness
, Failure to see what is right or proper il
{ the conduct of life often arises from the
habit of looking at matters in a jocos,
light. We must think soberly if we ar,
J. to think correctly. Christianity also en-
t sures us against wrong judgments b.
e repressing selfishness and quickenng ou
sympathies for our fellow-men. Tn
source of our errors is often an undu
q regard for our own interest or pleasure
e Our false beliefs are often wilful beliefs